By Christopher M Peeks September 28, 2024
A few days ago, I had the distinct pleasure of interviewing a legendary figure in Alabama history. A larger than life person whose name still resonates with Alabama citizens nearly twenty-five years after he left the spotlight. None other than former Birmingham City Attorney the iconic Donald Watkins.
Mr. Watkins, born in 1948, grew up in Kansas as the fifth of six children of Levi and Lillian Watkins. Both educators, his father served as president of Alabama A&M from 1962-1981. After graduating from Illinois, he enrolled in the second integrated class to attend the University of Alabama School of Law.
After moving to Montgomery in 1973, Watkins, aided by Attorney General Bill Baxley, persuaded Governor George Wallace to pardon Clarence Norris, the last living member of the Scottsboro Boys. The Scottsboro Boys were a group of young black males wrongly convicted of raping a white female. During our conversation, we discussed the complexity of the "Guvna." Mr. Watkins told stories about Wallace the history books never tell, pointing out there were "two sides to George Wallace."
Mr. Watkins served a term on the Montgomery City Council. When asked about his sometimes tense relationship with the city's famous mayor, Emory Fulmar, known for his bold antics, he laughed it off. After his term on the council, the mayor appointed him as City attorney, and later on, the two became friends.
In 1985, Watkins moved to Birmingham, taking the position he is best remembered for serving as City Attorney in the administration of long-time Mayor Richard Arrington. As City Attorney, he won 37 out of 38 cases. He also represented Eric Ramsey in his case against Auburn University.
I almost forgot to ask Mr. Watkins about the question I found most interesting. Being a political student myself, I vividly recall one of the greatest moves in political history. During the 1998 Alabama gubernatorial campaign, Winton Blount held incumbent Governor Fob James under 50% in the GOP primary. What came next is the stuff legends are made of.
James set the trap the next day, and Blount walked right into the snare. James said he would seek the endorsement of Mayor Arrington and the Jefferson County Citizens Coalition—a powerful black Democratic political organisation. The ploy worked. Blount took the bait. For the next three weeks, Blount courted Arrington. As the runoff approached, with James lying in wait, Arrington endorsed Blount and Fob ambushed him. A day or so later the governor's campaign did a mail out to the rural areas in Northern Alabama. I still remember pulling mine out of the mailbox. The pamphlet had a picture of Winton in the middle, Arrington on one side, and Donald on the other, and the title read, "Who will be in charge in a Blount administration?" What stuck out is they had a picture of Mr Watkins from the seventies with an afro. Using racial overtones, the tactic paid off. Rural whites turned out as James hammered Blount in the runoff, winning by more than 50,000 votes.
After leaving as city attorney, Donald delved into other business ventures involving banking and energy. A few years back, he had some legal issues. Instead of asking him what I had read in print, I inquired about his version of events. He insisted the justice department targeted him. Some people might be bitter over what transpired, but he, on the other hand, seems to have put that chapter of his life behind him.
Today Mr. Watkins writes a very successful blog. During our chat, we covered many topics. At 76 he is much sharper than I am. I followed Donald Watkins as a kid, and this ranks as one of my top interviews.
I look forward to another in the future. I no longer call Donald just a famous Alabama figure. Now, I also call him my friend.
To hear the interview click on the link below.
Christopher M Peeks
Reporter and Columnist
Alabama Political Contributor
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